The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-05-07
INV land. Job, I'd most forgot. The

| Amt il IA shame all my plants are" she
paused, with possibly delicate dislike
to recall the subject of his trouble.
She, real nice little thing Manda is. =
| she resumed after a moment Il always
did like the kind of face she's got. None
of your Adj"
Job groaned His mother caught her
self up again.
Il wish we had melodeon while Man
da's here She's"
job got up from his seat. took his hat
and went out into the back yard.
Land. never did see how hard he
takes it." soliloquized Mrs. Westcott. II
wish that Adcline Humphreys was under
the sea. Perhaps Manda'll help him get
over it a little. Manda don't know him
so very well, but she's always been pleas
ant-spokcn. And then she don't know
anything about his running after that
girl. She's been off in the Rocky Forks
district since before it began.
In the middle of the afternoon the pref
ty little school teacher descended from a
wagon which had given her ''lift" in
her six-mile walk from Rocky Forks TO
the Westcott place She came smiling
up the long path and looked so charming
with wind-reddcned cheeks and spark
ling eyes that Mrs. Westcott embraced
her most cordially.
"IIow dye do, Manda- that is to say,
Miss Hardy!"
Now please don't call me anything
but Manda." said the girl with playful
reproach. I'm very well and hope
see you the same. I've walked nearly all
the way. Ny things won't be over till
tomorrow. suppose you can lend me a
brush and comb for tonight" She
laughed rs She united her bonnet and I'M
bu,toned her ulster by the kitchen fire.
20 yes" said Mrs. We>tcott. looking
more practical than ever for moment
And anything else-you might want
something to wear"
Manda blushcd and laughed again.
''IIow'> Mr. WeStcott and young Mr..
Wc>tcott?" she inquired, chcerily.
''Oh they're both well. Don't know
but job does look little like ague
Guess he'll feel better now that you're
here"
Manda was now conducted to the spare
chamber, where. having laid aside her
bonnet and ulster, she did not long
lingcr, the temperature Of the room being
something in the early tifties. The two
ladies returned. then to the kitchen and
INDUCED in an amiable and comprehen-
sivc discussion of persons in particular
and things in general until it was time to
get supper.
job came in with his father and the
two hired men.
Miss Hardy's seat at the table was ex-
actly opposite his own. He felt strangely
uncomfortable and held his head down
much of the time. A good deal of bit
terness ranked in his heart. He cared
very little To talk. but he couldn't avoid
listening.
Suddenly Miss Hardy addressed him
some commonplace rcmark-she had not
seen him for owe hree months. He had
to look at her then. And, for some in
applicable reason, as he looked in her
face he felt himself blushing terrifcally.
He. job, the bitter, the weary of life,
the thin-limbed, the aguish. felt the hot
blood rush unanimously up into his head
and stain his sallow cheeks beyond con-
cealing.
He supposed they were all looking at
him, though in reality it was not the
case. And so he answered in a most en-
barrassed manner
Manda Hardy seemed little startled,
then her own color decpened. She did
not speak directly to him again
When supper was over she very soon
excused herself and retired to the spare
charber.
Mrs. Wcstcott called after her.
''Oh. Manda; guess you'll find every
thing you want. | went in your room
Just before supper. There's a-there's
something for you living atop the bureau.